With the warmer months approaching I want to buy some hydration/electrolyte tablets to carry with me on longer rides. Looking to buy online from the UK, there are several brands out there, are some better than others or mostly the same?

Hi CJ I have used High5 Zero as a test because they came free then I placed an online order to further test them and in my opinion they don't perform as there labelled so give them a miss. I know when trying to remain hydrated it can be a costly affair but I just go to the chemist and get Hydralyte in tablet form as they come in a water proof tube. Dropping two in a water bottle a sipping will do the job and these really do deliver results. I do long distance touring so I'm always up for good hydration so just cut to the chase and use what works. In the long run the tablets will last longer than the liquid version or you can purchase the sachet versions but I find tablets easy to use. There like the size of 4 ten cent bits stacked on each other but when placing in your bottle leave until dissolved and the first time you go for a drink make sure your mouth is over the spout. They build up pressure when devolving due to gas release and they come in three flavours if memory serves me right.

}SkOrPn--7 wrote:Hi CJ I have used High5 Zero as a test because they came free then I placed an online order to further test them and in my opinion they don't perform as there labelled so give them a miss. I know when trying to remain hydrated it can be a costly affair but I just go to the chemist and get Hydralyte in tablet form as they come in a water proof tube. Dropping two in a water bottle a sipping will do the job and these really do deliver results. I do long distance touring so I'm always up for good hydration so just cut to the chase and use what works. In the long run the tablets will last longer than the liquid version or you can purchase the sachet versions but I find tablets easy to use. There like the size of 4 ten cent bits stacked on each other but when placing in your bottle leave until dissolved and the first time you go for a drink make sure your mouth is over the spout. They build up pressure when devolving due to gas release and they come in three flavours if memory serves me right.

Ricky

I liked the high 5 zero given to me as a freebie so much i ordered some. i double dose (2 tablets in a bottle) and only use them when I'm doing a big ride

I third the High 5 Zero tablets! Very impressed with them.... I used them during 2 weeks of riding at Byron Bay where it was warmer than I was used to and they really helped. Pleasant tasting and not at all sweet/sickly like bottled Gatorade or Powerade. Andrew

punk_rob wrote:I second High5 Zero tablets. I have the orange flavour.Tip: Get one of those old film canisters and you can keep some in your jersey for a mid-ride refill. Easier to pack than the full 6inch tube.

I've used hydrolyte and found it good. Not for,cycling but other endurance stuff. I sweat like a pig so I'm very conscious about dehydration and always try to drink lot of regular old water most of the time ...

I've used hydrolyte and found it to be very effective. I only use it on a rides over 2 hours or on a hot day. I also tend to make it a bit weaker than recommended as it seems to go down easier. When using it I carry 2 bidons, one with hydrolyte and one plain water.

Ozkaban wrote:I've used hydrolyte and found it to be very effective. I only use it on a rides over 2 hours or on a hot day. I also tend to make it a bit weaker than recommended as it seems to go down easier. When using it I carry 2 bidons, one with hydrolyte and one plain water.

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I believe hydrolyte is very good. It contains glucose too. Only downer is the cost.

For any newbies reading this they are not hydration tablets, they are electrolyte replacement tablets. Hydration can only come from water and when youexercise a lot and only drink water you need to replace electrolytes using the above products mixed with water.

bychosis (bahy-koh-sis): A mental disorder of delusions indicating impaired contact with a reality of no bicycles.

I use the Sqwincher Lite Qwik Stik's that I get in packs of 50 from the local safety shop. Tiny electrolyte powder mix that tastes far better than the High 5 or Shotz tablets in a Camelbak Podium bottle...the version I have is a zero sugar too. Cost wise it's about a dollar a shot.

bychosis wrote:For any newbies reading this they are not hydration tablets, they are electrolyte replacement tablets. Hydration can only come from water and when youexercise a lot and only drink water you need to replace electrolytes using the above products mixed with water.

I was curious, is there any reason why not to use these instead of "sports drinks" while on a ride?

I bought a bunch of Nuun tablets back when LineBreak used to sell them, was pretty happy with them. I've thought of picking up a few more since they're so much better than messing with powders when you're filling up outside the house. But I've got a bunch of Clif drink mix I should really use first before adding more stuff. Wish Clif made some tablets of their lemonade drink mix (maybe with a bit less carbs to make it more like an electrolyte tablet), and I'd be in heaven.

It's great because it uses inexpensive ingredients you can get from most supermarkets. You make up a mix of sugars and salts, and add 29grams of that mix to a cordial bottle, then make up your bike bottles before riding just like making cordial. Costs $0.45 per litre.

Just tell everyone in the house what you are up to, as they will find packets of white powders in the fridge.

It's working well for me. Last Sunday morning I didn't start out til 8am, and it was 28-34 degrees and I was good for hydration.

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